Useful Phrases for IELTS Speaking

Keep the vocabulary list next to you while you practise, so you can get ideas for linking and expressing your
views.

Beginnings
 I am not sure what you mean, could you be more specific?
 Could you repeat the question, please?
 Well, I have never thought about it, but If I do, I would say that ...
 Well, it is not a simple question ...

Reformulation of the questions

 What did I enjoy doing as a child? Let me see ...
 That's not something I've thought about before. It's an interesting question.
 I haven't thought about that question before.
 Wow, that's tough question to answer.
 I need a couple of seconds to think about that but ...
 I'm not quite sure what to say here ...
 There are a variety of different things I could say ...

Middles
 I almost forgot to say that ... / Another point would be that ...
 And I should add that ...

Opinion language
 In my opinion ... / I think that ... / Well, if you ask me, ... / When it comes to me, I ...
 I am sure something will/won't happen / It is unlikely/likely this event won't/will occur
 As I see it ... / In my opinion ... / I'd say ... / If you ask me ... / Personally ...
 I'm certain ... / I'm convinced ...
 I guess ... / I suppose ... / I reckon ...

What you just said was rubbish

 Let me try and rephrase that ...
 What I'm trying to say is ...
 Or to put it another way ...

You forgot the word or what you wanted to say

 Sorry, it's on the tip of the tongue ...
 I don't know the right way to put this ...
 I'm not sure if this is the right way to put it, but ...

Coherence – repeat yourself

 As I was saying ... / As I said before ...

Variations
 It is fairly likely that ...
 It's rather unlikely that ...

Ends
 And I suppose that that's my main point
 And finally, I'd say that ...
 And I don't think I have anything else to say